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House Study Bill 48 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to the practice of optometry.
2BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 154.1, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code
22017, is amended to read as follows:
3a. An optometrist licensed under this chapter may employ
4all diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for
5the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the
6human eye and adnexa pursuant to this subsection, excluding
7the use of retrobulbar injections or injections other than
8to counteract an anaphylactic reaction which penetrate the
9globe, and notwithstanding section 147.107, may without
10charge supply any of the above pharmaceuticals to commence a
11course of therapy. A licensed optometrist may perform minor
12surgical procedures and use medications for the diagnosis and
13treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eye and
14adnexa. A license to practice optometry under this chapter
15does not authorize the performance of surgical procedures which
16require the use of injectable or general anesthesia, moderate
17sedation, penetration of the globe, or the use of ophthalmic
18lasers for the purpose of ophthalmic surgery within or upon
19the globe. The removal of pterygia and Salzmann’s nodules,
20incisional corneal refractive surgery, and strabismus surgery
21are prohibited.
22EXPLANATION
23The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
24the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
25This bill makes changes to the types of actions which may
26be performed by an optometrist. Previously, an optometrist
27could not use injections other than to counteract an
28anaphylactic reaction. Under the bill, an optometrist cannot
29use retrobulbar injections or injections which penetrate the
30globe. The bill also removes a prohibition on the performance
31of surgical procedures which require the use of injectable
32anesthesia by licensed optometrists.
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2BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 154.1, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code
22017, is amended to read as follows:
3a. An optometrist licensed under this chapter may employ
4all diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for
5the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the
6human eye and adnexa pursuant to this subsection, excluding
7the use of retrobulbar injections or injections other than
8to counteract an anaphylactic reaction which penetrate the
9globe, and notwithstanding section 147.107, may without
10charge supply any of the above pharmaceuticals to commence a
11course of therapy. A licensed optometrist may perform minor
12surgical procedures and use medications for the diagnosis and
13treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eye and
14adnexa. A license to practice optometry under this chapter
15does not authorize the performance of surgical procedures which
16require the use of injectable or general anesthesia, moderate
17sedation, penetration of the globe, or the use of ophthalmic
18lasers for the purpose of ophthalmic surgery within or upon
19the globe. The removal of pterygia and Salzmann’s nodules,
20incisional corneal refractive surgery, and strabismus surgery
21are prohibited.
22EXPLANATION
23The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
24the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
25This bill makes changes to the types of actions which may
26be performed by an optometrist. Previously, an optometrist
27could not use injections other than to counteract an
28anaphylactic reaction. Under the bill, an optometrist cannot
29use retrobulbar injections or injections which penetrate the
30globe. The bill also removes a prohibition on the performance
31of surgical procedures which require the use of injectable
32anesthesia by licensed optometrists.
-1-tr/nh